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Tako is TikTok’s AI chatbot, and if you’re reading this, you probably didn’t ask for it. It pops up while you’re scrolling your FYP, inserts itself into searches, and generally acts like that friend who won’t stop "helping" when you never asked for help. TikTok doesn’t offer a kill switch for Tako, but there are ways to push it into the background and reclaim your feed.
1. Turn Off Display Object Tags
The closest thing to an off switch that exists. Go to Settings and Privacy > Content and Display > Playback, then toggle off Display Object Tags. This reduces how often Tako appears in your feed by disabling the interactive overlays it piggybacks on.
It doesn’t remove Tako from the app entirely, but it dials down the frequency enough that most people notice the difference immediately. Think of it as putting Tako on a leash rather than kicking it out.
2. Disable Personalized AI Features
TikTok buries AI-related settings in a few places. Go to Settings and Privacy > Content and Display and look for any AI or smart features toggles. Depending on your app version, you may see options like "AI-generated content" or "Smart suggestions." Turn off anything that sounds like it feeds Tako data about your behavior.
Also check Settings and Privacy > Privacy > Personalization and Data. Reducing what TikTok tracks about your activity gives Tako less to work with, which means fewer unsolicited pop-ups.
3. Long-Press and Select "Not Interested"
When Tako surfaces on a video or in your feed, long-press the Tako element and select "Not Interested" if the option appears. TikTok’s algorithm takes these signals seriously for content recommendations, and repeated "Not Interested" signals on Tako interactions can reduce how aggressively it shows up.
Do this consistently every time Tako pops up. The algorithm learns, but it’s slow. Give it a week of consistent feedback before expecting results.
4. Clear Your TikTok Cache
A bloated cache can cause features like Tako to behave more aggressively than intended. Go to Settings and Privacy > Cache & Cellular Data > Free Up Space, then clear your cache. This forces the app to reload its configuration, and some users report fewer Tako appearances afterward.
This isn’t a permanent fix, but it’s worth doing alongside the other methods. Takes 10 seconds and costs nothing.
5. Submit a Support Request to TikTok
Go to Settings and Privacy > Report a Problem > select a relevant topic, then describe the issue. Be specific: state that you didn’t opt into the Tako AI feature, that there’s no visible setting to disable it, and that you want it removed from your account.
TikTok’s support isn’t known for fast responses on feature removal requests, but enough tickets about the same issue do influence their product decisions. At minimum it creates a paper trail if privacy regulators come asking questions about opt-in consent for AI features.
6. Downgrade Your TikTok App Version
Nuclear option, but effective. Tako was added in a specific update, and rolling back to an older version of TikTok removes it entirely. On Android, you can sideload an older APK from a trusted source like APKMirror. On iOS, this is harder (requires a previously saved backup of the older version).
The downside: you lose access to newer features and bug fixes, and TikTok may eventually force an update. But if Tako is genuinely ruining the experience, running an older version buys you time until TikTok (hopefully) adds a proper toggle.
7. Use TikTok Through a Browser Instead
Open TikTok in your phone’s or computer’s web browser at tiktok.com. The web version has a stripped-down interface that doesn’t include many of the app-exclusive features, including Tako. You lose some functionality (duets, stitches, some filters), but you gain a Tako-free scrolling experience.
Bookmark it to your home screen and it feels close enough to the app. Not ideal for creators, but for people who just want to scroll in peace, it works.
TikTok hasn’t given any indication that a proper Tako off switch is coming. The feature is clearly something they intend to keep pushing. Until that changes, combining the Display Object Tags toggle with consistent "Not Interested" feedback is the most effective approach for keeping Tako out of your way without leaving the app entirely.